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Becoming Shamus
Shamus hasn't had much luck with humans for reasons he can't understand. At ten-months old, he's adopted into his third home by a young family and their canine companion, Lela.
Playful, destructive and more than a little insecure, Shamus desperately seeks to find his place among them. But entering a new family is not easy, and Shamus quickly discovers that he has a lot to learn. He can't help feeling jealous of Lela, the family's favored dog, as he struggles to gain a paw-hold.
Wise and understanding, Lela patiently mentors Shamus on duty, loyalty and love. Jealousy turns to admiration amid Lela's failing health, and Shamus embraces new responsibilities during a tumultuous period when his family finds their lives in upheaval too. He bravely stands beside them as they trudge through the inherent challenges of daily life - the loss of innocence, a job, a friend, one's self. Through financial woes and marital problems, he comes to understand that while it takes a lot to make a family, it takes even more to sustain one.
Playful, destructive and more than a little insecure, Shamus desperately seeks to find his place among them. But entering a new family is not easy, and Shamus quickly discovers that he has a lot to learn. He can't help feeling jealous of Lela, the family's favored dog, as he struggles to gain a paw-hold.
Wise and understanding, Lela patiently mentors Shamus on duty, loyalty and love. Jealousy turns to admiration amid Lela's failing health, and Shamus embraces new responsibilities during a tumultuous period when his family finds their lives in upheaval too. He bravely stands beside them as they trudge through the inherent challenges of daily life - the loss of innocence, a job, a friend, one's self. Through financial woes and marital problems, he comes to understand that while it takes a lot to make a family, it takes even more to sustain one.
363 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 18, 2012
I won this book In a goodreads giveaway.
Becoming Shamus is such a good book! I really enjoyed reading it. I love the begining of the book where Lela can't stand the sight of Shamus, I couldn't help but laugh. But there were many parts in the book where I couldn't stop crying mostly having to do with the loss of Lela, but most of the crying was before that time. Wow, the circle of life is conplex and sucks! I just could not help falling for that girl. Even though she wasn't the main dog in this book, I feel that she helped mold shamus into the dog he was at the end of the book. I think it was funny when Gwen had to explain why they had to fix Shamus and why lela would never have babies and why. i think its so cute than Lela felt and treated Shamus like her little brother. This book was even better than I thought it would be, I'm really glad I got the chance to read it.
Becoming Shamus is such a good book! I really enjoyed reading it. I love the begining of the book where Lela can't stand the sight of Shamus, I couldn't help but laugh. But there were many parts in the book where I couldn't stop crying mostly having to do with the loss of Lela, but most of the crying was before that time. Wow, the circle of life is conplex and sucks! I just could not help falling for that girl. Even though she wasn't the main dog in this book, I feel that she helped mold shamus into the dog he was at the end of the book. I think it was funny when Gwen had to explain why they had to fix Shamus and why lela would never have babies and why. i think its so cute than Lela felt and treated Shamus like her little brother. This book was even better than I thought it would be, I'm really glad I got the chance to read it.
January 19, 2013
I was lucky enough to win this lovely book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Becoming Shamus is a surprisingly authentically told story from the Shamus, it was really interesting reading from the point of view of a dog. At first it may seem a little primary but it really wasn't. This book actually holds the intertwining stories of both Shamus's previous and final family. We are introduce to Lela as well, a loveable, older dog who teaches young Shamus how to behave and what his responsibilities will be. Becoming Shamus is almost a coming of age story that has a plot that directly relates to the lives of his families.
I think this book was about life, was about how people leave, about being young and dumb, and growing older and being faced with your own morality. Heavy topics, that were surprisingly represented well in a book told from the perspective of a dog. I feel that the book and stories recounted in it were a little choppy, for me, it was hard to get into, and then at other times, for example *SPOILER* when Lela passes away, I actually wanted to AVOID the book! It was HEARTBREAKING! So it was hard to get into, it is a much different book than I usually read. I found that the cycle of life was shown well here, the author did do a very nice job with actually embodying the dog she was writing about, I was impressed by her ability to speak for the dog.
I did enjoy this book, it was a bitter-sweet read, it will make you cry if you are a dog owner...actually no, no matter what your take on any animals is, it will make you cry. Though I did enjoy it, it wasn't really a book that I would have picked up.
My own personal opinion of the book; I appreciate books that are faster paced and louder--that may be a confusing word to use in regards to a book. Something I think is really cool about this book is that it was autographed by the author.
I would recommend this book for any dog lovers, a good pick for a mom or grandma, a good book for mother's day I think, for someone older who would be able appreciate the struggles in this book.
Becoming Shamus is a surprisingly authentically told story from the Shamus, it was really interesting reading from the point of view of a dog. At first it may seem a little primary but it really wasn't. This book actually holds the intertwining stories of both Shamus's previous and final family. We are introduce to Lela as well, a loveable, older dog who teaches young Shamus how to behave and what his responsibilities will be. Becoming Shamus is almost a coming of age story that has a plot that directly relates to the lives of his families.
I think this book was about life, was about how people leave, about being young and dumb, and growing older and being faced with your own morality. Heavy topics, that were surprisingly represented well in a book told from the perspective of a dog. I feel that the book and stories recounted in it were a little choppy, for me, it was hard to get into, and then at other times, for example *SPOILER* when Lela passes away, I actually wanted to AVOID the book! It was HEARTBREAKING! So it was hard to get into, it is a much different book than I usually read. I found that the cycle of life was shown well here, the author did do a very nice job with actually embodying the dog she was writing about, I was impressed by her ability to speak for the dog.
I did enjoy this book, it was a bitter-sweet read, it will make you cry if you are a dog owner...actually no, no matter what your take on any animals is, it will make you cry. Though I did enjoy it, it wasn't really a book that I would have picked up.
My own personal opinion of the book; I appreciate books that are faster paced and louder--that may be a confusing word to use in regards to a book. Something I think is really cool about this book is that it was autographed by the author.
I would recommend this book for any dog lovers, a good pick for a mom or grandma, a good book for mother's day I think, for someone older who would be able appreciate the struggles in this book.
October 22, 2013
This book made dogs very human and capable of all the concepts and thoughts that humans have. Which I love, since I think dogs are much smarter than most people believe. Plus it was just so sweet to read about Shamus' adventures with Lela and getting to be part of a family. I wish the author had elaborated more at the end of the story and cut out some of the middle. And since I have loved and lost a lot of dogs, I was a bit frustrated by how the mom didn't recognize Shamus' grief too. Overall this was a sweet book, and at times I found myself wondering what my dogs just might be saying to each other.
June 6, 2013
It's an interesting perspective on being a member of a family. As a dog owner/lover myself, I thought the idea of a narrative written from the dog's point of view was cute when I first heard it, so I picked up the book. Little did I know that my life would parallel the last few chapters in the book in almost perfect sync. It's funny actually - my wife said some of the exact same things that Gwen said in those chapters, pretty much verbatim. It was weird yet somehow comforting knowing that these things are... if not normal, then at least common. My life did not parallel the the end however. Not yet anyway ;)
Thanks, Ms. Curtisse (if you ever read this). I think I needed this.
Thanks, Ms. Curtisse (if you ever read this). I think I needed this.
January 16, 2013
This book was good and very moving, especially for any dog lover; however, it was a very slow read and didn't flow very well. You get the feeling it is more a collection of stories and doesn't always hold your interest. Overall I enjoyed it but I wouldn't jump at a chance to recommend it to friends.
March 23, 2013
Great read. I love reading from the perspective of the dog.
April 29, 2025
“My shayllllaaaaa” I literally cried in the parking lot of the gym reading this book!! Snot and catching my breath, everything. Beautiful friendship between Shamus and Lela. Lela was such a good protector of the family and teaching Shamus everything before it was her time. Was about big events and also everyday routine of the family and through the eyes and feelings of a dog. As we grow older and change, so do our fur babies, they go through so many seasons with us. 😭
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews